THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
May 15, 2022

Apparition of the Holy Cross 

COVID UPDATE: Masks are recommended, but not required, Please use your best judgement.
Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

John 7:14-23 Preaching in the temple courts, Jesus told those amazed at his knowledge that all he taught was from the One who sent him. He exhorts them to see that healing on the Sabbath is more proper than their strict adherence to Mosaic Law. Discuss/reflect: Jesus taught a humane flexibility about “tradition” and asks people to scrutinize their own behavior: “Has not Moses given you the law?And yet not one of you keeps the law” (v 19) When it comes to your Christian faith, do you ‘walk the walk’ or just ‘talk the talk’ (as so many of Jesus’ critics did)?

Acts 17:1-15 Accompanied by Silas, St. Paul preached in the synagogues at Thessalonica and Berea. Although many Jews jealously opposed him – even inciting mobs to riot – Paul converted a large number. Discuss/reflect: The Bereans were eager students of the Bible and “examined the Scriptures every day” (v.11). How often do you read the Bible? If not often, how could you increase your time spent with the Word of God, so that you, too, might be able to “reason from the Scriptures” like St. Paul (v. 2)?

1 John 1:1-10 John shares his joy in all he has experienced and witnessed. God is light; those who claim fellowship with him can longer walk in the darkness. He exhorts believers to be honest about their shortcomings since Jesus forgives our sins if we confess them. Ultimately, fellowship with God leads to fellowship with one another. Discuss/reflect: The epistle writer shares his experience of the Lord “to make [his] joy complete.” (v.4) How important it is that he considers his faith complete only when proclaimed to others! Do you witness to your faith? By example? By invitation? In conversation?

Today is the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross
The 4th Sunday after Easter, this important feast of the cross recalls a miracle occurring in 351 A.D. when a huge cross appeared in the sky over Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. It was seen stretching from the Mount of Olives to Golgotha (a distance of approx. 1½ miles). The miracle affected everyone: Christians were strengthened in their faith and many non-believers were converted as a result. There is historical proof of this event. The presiding Archbishop of Jerusalem, Guregh (St. Cyril), wrote to the Christian Emperor Constantine of Constantinople telling him of this great miracle; the letter has been preserved by the Armenian Church. At the time, Constantine was still defending the teachings of the heretic Arius and thereby promoting division in the church. But the letter renewed his faith and fortified his resolve to adhere to orthodox doctrine.

Tickets are still available for the Jazz Concert today following Badarak. The program features talented artists from Armenia and locally. All proceeds from this event will be for the benefit of Armenia and Artsakh. Ticket price is $35 person and refreshments will be served following the concert.

Church School Graduation: Our entire community rejoins today as Tigran Safarian graduates from Church School. There will be a brief service following Badarak during which Tigran will renew his commitment to the church and recall the promises made for him at his baptism and chrismation. At the conclusion of the service, Fr. Hakob will anoint the graduate’s forehead and palms and present him with a diploma from the Diocese of the Armenian Church. We encourage our faithful to offer their congratulations to Tigran and his family. Well done, Tigran!

MEN’S CLUB NEWS – The MAY 2022 “200 CLUB” drawing was completed on 5/10/22. You can see the results on our HTAC Website. Click on: Organizations, Men’s Club. –Thank you for your continued support!

HOLY TRINITY ZOOM BOOK CLUB: The outgoing Planning Team (Lucy Aghazarian, Nancy Basmajian, and Janet Jordan) invite the faithful to the final book discussion in their 2021-2022 series. It will be the 12th book in the series. Entitled “The Dutch House” by Anne Patchett, it is a New York Times bestseller that spans five decades and digs deeply into questions of inheritance, love, and forgiveness. It is also a page-turner filled with suspense! Suzanne Sherenian will facilitate the conversation on Thursday evening, June 2 at 7:00. EVERYONE IS WELCOME! To receive the Zoom link, contact nancybasmajian@verizon.net.

AN AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: Join us on Sunday, June 5, following the Divine Liturgy for a presentation of a family-friendly, PG-rated film called “Overcomer.” Your heart will be touched by this Spirit-filled and inspirational movie about a high school basketball coach and his team challenged with an uncertain future. Sponsored by our Adult Christian Education (ACE) ministry, parishioners of all ages will enjoy this film and… the popcorn is FREE!

ZOOM BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. HAKOB: Der Hayr is inviting us to an informal three-week Thursday morning Bible study on St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Why not take a mid-morning break from your daily routine to explore St. Paul’s advice to a church community embarking on a new way of life?! We will meet via Zoom on Thursdays, June 2, 9 and 16 for one-hour beginning at 10:30. To receive the Zoom link, contact nancybasmajian@verizon.net.

COUNTRY STORE – We invite you to come visit us after church most Sundays. See Liz or Jeanette. If you wish to place an order for pickup, contact Lorraine Damerjian @ 215-572-8465, and she can help you with that.

Seeking Part-time Organists – the Choir of Holy Trinity is looking for multiple talented musicians who would be seriously interested in playing the organ for the Sunday morning Divine Liturgy (Badarak) on a rotating schedule. Organ lessons will be provided to the interested candidates, along with one-on-one direction from a senior choir person. For further information, contact Karinne Andonian @ karinne.hov@gmail.com.